Aligarh Muslim University students protest in Delhi for minority status

Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Thursday held a protest in New Delhi demanding that the university be declared a minority institution.

The students also demanded passing of the Anti-Communal Violence bill in its original form without amendments.

"All previous governments and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had herself assured the declaration of AMU as a minority institution. But so far the government has not taken any step," said Jasim Mohammad, secretary of the Millat Bedari Muhim Committee (MBMC) in Aligarh.

MBMC's Razaullah Khan said: "India is a secular country but some political parties are using communalism to consolidate their vote banks. Riots occur on a regular basis. So to contain communalism and riots, the Anti-Communal Violence Bill should be passed by parliament in its original form without any amendment."